The Bill and Joan Alfond Family Foundation directs substantial, targeted gifts toward Maine-based higher education and community capital projects while also funding specialized medical research and clinical centers in the Boston area. Their grants emphasize capital campaigns, facility expansions, and program-building (especially early childhood education and museum/visitor attractions), and they sometimes route philanthropic giving through donor-advised vehicles. The foundation balances investments in local community institutions with support for leading health institutions and repeat grantees.
A $600,173 lifetime commitment to Colby College’s Dare Northward campaign is the clearest window into the Bill and Joan Alfond Family Foundation’s grantmaking: it backs major institutional projects, often with capital or campaign framing, and it does so heavily in Maine. The foundation also gave $500,000 for the Skowhegan public school early childhood education wing, showing a second, more community-based track that reaches early learners and rural education infrastructure. In the Boston area, it has supported specialized medical work as well, including $500,000 for Mass Eye & Ear hearing labs capital improvements and $395,000 for headache medicine, research, and treatment at Mass General Brigham. The grant list also shows a pattern of repeat support for higher education and health institutions, alongside gifts routed through donor-advised funds and Maine community entities. Across the recent grants, the foundation appears to favor sizeable, targeted commitments over broad small-grant dispersal, with many awards tied to facilities, fellowships, and program buildouts rather than one-off event support.
Higher education is a major thread in the foundation’s giving. In 2023, it awarded $201,308 to the President and Trustees of Colby College for the Bill and Joan Alfond Main Street Commons within the Dare Northward campaign, and it later added $132,655 for an undesignated lifetime commitment to the same campaign. Early childhood capacity is another recurring area: the foundation gave $500,000 to Kennebec Valley Community Action Program for the Skowhegan public school early childhood education wing. Workforce training appears as well, with $93,750 to Maine School Administrative District #46 for a new facility for the building trades program and $50,000 to Kennebec Valley Community College Foundation for an electrical lineworker truck. Cultural and community facilities also receive support, including $200,000 to Children’s Discovery Museum for a capital campaign membership challenge.
The typical grant size is modest relative to the largest awards, with a p25 of $5,070, a median of $16,350, and a p75 of $48,750. Even so, the recent list includes several six-figure commitments, indicating a mix of smaller support and large project gifts. The foundation gives through a family foundation structure and also routes some support through donor-advised funds, including grants to BNY Mellon Charitable Gift Fund and Maine Community Foundation. Repeat recipients appear across multiple years, especially Colby College, Partners Healthcare System, Coastal Enterprises, and Maine Community Foundation, which points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards. The foundation also funds individuals, and the recent record includes fellowships tied to healthcare institutions.
$3.4M
$31.2M
$4.5M
$4.2M
Most grants fall between $5K and $49K, with a median of $16K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$16K
75th Percentile
$49K
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Concentrated, large grants (many $100k–$900k) to a small set of repeat institutional grantees; a mix of local Maine community and higher-education capital projects and targeted gifts to prominent medical centers, with some giving routed through DAFs.
Notable grantees: Colby College, Partners HealthCare System, Inc. (Mass General Brigham affiliate), Mass General Brigham, Inc., Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, Children’s Discovery Museum
Giving is concentrated in Maine, which accounts for 73% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Waterville appears repeatedly through Colby College, Thomas College, and the Children’s Discovery Museum, while Portland shows up through Maine Community Foundation, Quality Housing Coalition, and donor-advised fund activity. Other Maine locations include Skowhegan, Gardiner, Brunswick, Eastport, Dexter, Fairfield, and Fort Kent. Outside Maine, Boston is the main recipient hub, especially for medical institutions and foundations tied to healthcare. All recent grants in the provided data went to U.S. recipients.
Recent grants show a strong tilt toward capital campaigns, facility improvements, and program-building. Examples include Colby College’s Dare Northward campaign, the Skowhegan public school early childhood education wing, Mass Eye & Ear hearing labs capital improvements, and a new facility for the building trades program at Maine School Administrative District #46.
Yes. The recent list includes $499,000 to Partners Healthcare System Inc for a fellowship program at the John R. Graham Headache Center, $400,000 for the same center in 2023, and $395,000 to Mass General Brigham Incorporated for headache medicine, research, and treatment.
Its typical grant size is $5,070 at the 25th percentile, $16,350 at the median, and $48,750 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes larger awards such as $600,173, $500,000, and $499,000, so the distribution includes both small grants and major commitments.
Maine is the top state by grant count, with 73% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Recent Maine recipients include Waterville, Portland, Skowhegan, Gardiner, Brunswick, Eastport, Dexter, Fairfield, and Fort Kent.
Yes. The recent grants include multiple awards to BNY Mellon Charitable Gift Fund and Maine Community Foundation Inc labeled as donor advised funds with disqualified person advisory privileges, showing that some giving is routed through donor-advised vehicles.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COLBY COLLEGE | WATERVILLE, ME | $600,173 | 2025 | UNDESIGNATED LIFETIME COMMITMENT (DARE NORTHWARD CAMPAIGN) |
| MASS GENERAL BRIGHAM INCORPORATED | BOSTON, MA | $500,000 | 2025 | MASS EYE & EAR HEARING LABS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| KENNEBEC VALLEY COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM | WATERVILLE, ME | $500,000 | 2025 | SKOWHEGAN PUBLIC SCHOOL EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION WING |
| BNY MELLON CHARITABLE GIFT FUND | BOSTON, MA | $398,225 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED FUNDS WITH DISQUALIFIED PERSON ADVISORY PRIVILEGES |
| MASS GENERAL BRIGHAM INCORPORATED | BOSTON, MA | $395,000 | 2025 | HEADACHE MEDICINE, RESEARCH, AND TREATMENT |
| MAINE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC | PORTLAND, ME | $248,038 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED FUNDS WITH DISQUALIFIED PERSON ADVISORY PRIVILEGES |
| CHILDRENS DISCOVERY MUSEUM | WATERVILLE, ME | $200,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN MEMBERSHIP CHALLENGE |
| 10TH MOUNTAIN SKI CLUB | FORT KENT, ME | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MAINE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT #46 | DEXTER, ME | $93,750 | 2025 | NEW FACILITY FOR BUILDING TRADES PROGRAM |
| THOMAS COLLEGE | WATERVILLE, ME | $60,346 | 2025 | VARSITY E-SPORTS PROGRAM EXPANSION |
| KENNEBEC VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | FAIRFIELD, ME | $50,000 | 2025 | ELECTRICAL LINEWORKER TRUCK |
| CENTRAL MAINE COMMUNITY BETTERMENT COLLABORATIVE | WATERVILLE, ME | $31,600 | 2025 | DIRIGO LABS BUSINESS ACCELERATOR & MENTOR PROGRAM |
| EASTPORT PORT AUTHORITY | EASTPORT, ME | $25,697 | 2025 | COACH PASSENGER BUS REFURBISHMENT |
| JOBS FOR MAINE'S GRADUATES INC | AUGUSTA, ME | $25,000 | 2025 | SPECIALIZED FINANCIAL LITERACY CURRICULUM |
| FRIENDS OF QUARRY ROAD | WATERVILLE, ME | $25,000 | 2025 | MINI-ALPINE CAMPAIGN |
| KENNEBEC VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | FAIRFIELD, ME | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 KVCC GALA - EMERGENT NEED FUND |
| CIEE INC | SOUTH PORTLAND, ME | $18,662 | 2025 | 2024 JMG GLOBAL NAVIGATOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIP |
| TOWN OF DEXTER | DEXTER, ME | $15,000 | 2025 | BRING BACK THE BEACH CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| THE WINDOWDRESSERS INC | ROCKLAND, ME | $15,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| MAINE CHILDREN'S HOME FOR LITTLE WANDERERS | WATERVILLE, ME | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MAINE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT #46 | DEXTER, ME | $13,625 | 2025 | DEXTER CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION SUMMER CAMP |
| UNIVERSITY OF MAINE FOUNDATION | ORONO, ME | $10,303 | 2025 | MARCHING BAND |
| THOMAS COLLEGE | WATERVILLE, ME | $10,000 | 2025 | BILL AND JOAN ALFOND SCHOLARS GRADUATE PROGRAM |
| CENTRAL MAINE COMMUNITY BETTERMENT COLLABORATIVE | WATERVILLE, ME | $10,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN OAKLAND, ME |
| TOWN OF CORINNA | CORINNA, ME | $8,500 | 2025 | NET CLIMBING STRUCTURE FOR BRAD DAVIS MEMORIAL PLAYGROUND |
| UNITED STATES BIATHLON ASSOCIATION INC | NEW GLOUCESTER, ME | $7,500 | 2025 | ATHLETE HEALTH AND SAFETY AUDIT |
| GOVERNOR'S ACADEMY | BYFIELD, MA | $7,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SENIOR TRIP |
| MAINE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT #46 | DEXTER, ME | $6,000 | 2025 | LEARN TO SKI PROGRAM |
| EDUCARE CENTRAL MAINE | WATERVILLE, ME | $5,500 | 2025 | 5K FOR KIDS 2024 FUNDRAISING EVENT |
| DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ALFOND YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTER | WATERVILLE, ME | $2,700 | 2025 | COMPUTER CLUB |
| MAINE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC | PORTLAND, ME | $2,500 | 2025 | FRANK E. SPIZUOCO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| EDUCARE CENTRAL MAINE | WATERVILLE, ME | $2,000 | 2025 | EDUCARE CENTRAL MAINE HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MAINE GRAIN ALLIANCE | SKOWHEGAN, ME | $2,000 | 2025 | FIELD PLANTING AT KENNEBEC VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE |
| JOBS FOR MAINE'S GRADUATES INC | AUGUSTA, ME | $1,800 | 2025 | GLOBAL NAVIGATOR SUPPORT |
| CARRABASSETT VALLEY ACADEMY | CARRABASSETT VALLEY, ME | $1,000 | 2025 | KATE WEBBER PUNDERSON ENDOWED FUND |
| TOWN OF WINSLOW | WINSLOW, ME | $1,000 | 2025 | EARLY READER BOOKS AND MUSEUM ADMISSION PASSES |
| KIWANIS CLUB OF DEXTER | DEXTER, ME | $1,000 | 2025 | BILL AND JOAN ALFOND FAMILY CITIZENSHIP AWARDS |
| BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION | WATERVILLE, ME | $1,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SUPPORT |
| WATERVILLE CREATES | WATERVILLE, ME | $500 | 2025 | 2024 MAINE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL |
| CENTRAL MAINE COMMUNITY BETTERMENT COLLABORATIVE | WATERVILLE, ME | $188 | 2025 | DIRIGO LABS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS |
| PARTNERS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM INC | BOSTON, MA | $499,000 | 2024 | FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM AT THE JOHN R. GRAHAM HEADACHE CENTER |
| BNY MELLON CHARITABLE GIFT FUND | BOSTON, MA | $446,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MAINE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC | PORTLAND, ME | $150,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THOMAS COLLEGE | WATERVILLE, ME | $145,654 | 2024 | VARSITY E-SPORTS PROGRAM EXPANSION |
| BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION | WATERVILLE, ME | $100,000 | 2024 | THE FOUNDATION AND THE FUTURE - HVAC |
| PROSPERITYME | PORTLAND, ME | $83,333 | 2024 | CHARTING YOUR COURSE PILOT PROGRAM |
| COASTAL ENTERPRISES INC | BRUNSWICK, ME | $75,000 | 2024 | CHILD CARE BUSINESS LAB EXPANSION IN THE RIM COUNTIES |
| EASTPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION | EASTPORT, ME | $70,000 | 2024 | PEAVEY MEMORIAL LIBRARY FACADE AND ROOF RESTORATION |
| QUALITY HOUSING COALITION | PORTLAND, ME | $65,000 | 2024 | PROJECT HOME TRUST |
MASS GENERAL BRIGHAM INCORPORATED
$500,000MASS EYE & EAR HEARING LABS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
KENNEBEC VALLEY COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM
$500,000SKOWHEGAN PUBLIC SCHOOL EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION WING
BNY MELLON CHARITABLE GIFT FUND
$398,225DONOR ADVISED FUNDS WITH DISQUALIFIED PERSON ADVISORY PRIVILEGES
MASS GENERAL BRIGHAM INCORPORATED
$395,000HEADACHE MEDICINE, RESEARCH, AND TREATMENT
DONOR ADVISED FUNDS WITH DISQUALIFIED PERSON ADVISORY PRIVILEGES
CHILDRENS DISCOVERY MUSEUM
$200,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN MEMBERSHIP CHALLENGE
10TH MOUNTAIN SKI CLUB
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
MAINE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT #46
$93,750NEW FACILITY FOR BUILDING TRADES PROGRAM
CENTRAL MAINE COMMUNITY BETTERMENT COLLABORATIVE
$31,600DIRIGO LABS BUSINESS ACCELERATOR & MENTOR PROGRAM
EASTPORT PORT AUTHORITY
$25,697COACH PASSENGER BUS REFURBISHMENT
FRIENDS OF QUARRY ROAD
$25,000MINI-ALPINE CAMPAIGN
2024 KVCC GALA - EMERGENT NEED FUND
CIEE INC
$18,6622024 JMG GLOBAL NAVIGATOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIP
TOWN OF DEXTER
$15,000BRING BACK THE BEACH CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
THE WINDOWDRESSERS INC
$15,000CAPACITY BUILDING
MAINE CHILDREN'S HOME FOR LITTLE WANDERERS
$15,000UNRESTRICTED
MAINE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT #46
$13,625DEXTER CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION SUMMER CAMP
CENTRAL MAINE COMMUNITY BETTERMENT COLLABORATIVE
$10,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN OAKLAND, ME
TOWN OF CORINNA
$8,500NET CLIMBING STRUCTURE FOR BRAD DAVIS MEMORIAL PLAYGROUND
UNITED STATES BIATHLON ASSOCIATION INC
$7,500ATHLETE HEALTH AND SAFETY AUDIT
GOVERNOR'S ACADEMY
$7,000ANNUAL SENIOR TRIP
MAINE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT #46
$6,000LEARN TO SKI PROGRAM
MAINE GRAIN ALLIANCE
$2,000FIELD PLANTING AT KENNEBEC VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
CARRABASSETT VALLEY ACADEMY
$1,000KATE WEBBER PUNDERSON ENDOWED FUND
TOWN OF WINSLOW
$1,000EARLY READER BOOKS AND MUSEUM ADMISSION PASSES
KIWANIS CLUB OF DEXTER
$1,000BILL AND JOAN ALFOND FAMILY CITIZENSHIP AWARDS
BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION
$1,000COMMUNITY SUPPORT
WATERVILLE CREATES
$5002024 MAINE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
CENTRAL MAINE COMMUNITY BETTERMENT COLLABORATIVE
$188DIRIGO LABS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
PARTNERS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM INC
$499,000FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM AT THE JOHN R. GRAHAM HEADACHE CENTER
MAINE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
$150,000UNRESTRICTED
BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION
$100,000THE FOUNDATION AND THE FUTURE - HVAC
CHILD CARE BUSINESS LAB EXPANSION IN THE RIM COUNTIES
EASTPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
$70,000PEAVEY MEMORIAL LIBRARY FACADE AND ROOF RESTORATION